Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than
we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or
deserve:

Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us
those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those
good things which

we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits
and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.

FAITH IN FOCUS:
CHOICE OF THE DAY

Life is full of
choices. If you’d like to speak to a customer service adviser press
*1. If you’d like to listen to some awful music while you wait
press *2. If you’ve dialled the wrong number then this call is
costing you an arm and a leg per minute. We’ve all experienced it!

Our Old and New
Testament readings today confront us with more choices. Joshua
gathers all the people together for a ceremony to renew or ratify the
agreement (the covenant) they had made with God when they agreed to
be his people. From time to time it is useful to be reminded of just
what you have signed up for. And Jesus, too, offers the disciples and
us a choice. You’ve heard what I’ve had to say about eating and
drinking my flesh and blood; so are you going to follow me or are you
going to look for someone else?

Following Jesus,
making the decision to model your life on his teaching, is not a
maintenance-free choice. It’s not as if we make it and then fly on
automatic pilot for the rest of our journey in faith. It’s
something that needs to be renewed constantly. It’s not a static
decision; it’s a dynamic choice.

We’re constantly
renewing this choice for Jesus. We’re tempted and have to make
conscious decisions. We’re faced with doubt and have to summon up
the vestiges of faith. Under mockery from family or friends we choose
to keep our Christian heads held high. When we struggle with prayer
we try to keep on going.

But the greatest
sign we can give that we are persevering in our choice to opt for
Jesus’ promises is when we gather together each Sunday to share
communion with God and each other. For the liturgy is our way of
ratifying the new covenant which Jesus offers through his death and
resurrection. Just as Joshua and the Israelites renewed their
covenant in today’s scripture reading, so too we take part in a
weekly renewal of our agreement with God. Our “Amen” makes it
clear that there is no one other than Jesus to whom we would wish to
go.

WORD OF GOD

If you will not
serve the Lord,

choose today whom
you wish to serve.

(Joshua 24:15)

WORD FOR TODAY

To celebrate the
eucharist is to make a choice: by eating and drinking the body and
blood of Christ we profess Jesus to be the Lord of our lives. Today
our worship is an act of renewal, a rededication in faith to follow
wherever Jesus may lead. Whom else could we possibly follow?

BE STRONG IN YOUR
CHRISTIAN FAITH and do not apologise for it. Do not expect an easy
ride. There is readiness among people today to see and treasure that
which is of lasting value, that which is noble and true, that which
is wholesome and good. Be witnesses to Christ, for he is all of this
and far more.

(Vincent Nichols)

IF, BY EATING AND
DRINKING the body and blood of Christ and doing my best to treat
others as myself, God promises that I will live for ever, then why
would I want to look for other alternatives? They surely can only be
more burdensome? And equally importantly, why should I be reticent
about sharing this with others?